March 3 is wildlife day. World Wildlife Day March 3rd. endangered plant species

"Future wildlife in the hands of everyone" - this is the motto of World Wildlife Day, which is celebrated annually on March 3rd. This is a relatively young holiday, which was created by the United Nations in 2013 to raise public awareness of the dangers faced by the fauna and flora of the planet. The selected date coincides with the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Species wildlife and flora. CITES is an international document regulating the illegal trade in animals and plants.

Habitat loss and management intensity Agriculture are among the real and tangible problems of nature. Thousands of flora and fauna are considered endangered and require our participation, according to the IUCN Red List.

Today, aspects such as urbanization, poaching, pollution and destruction of animal habitats are very acute. Forums, conferences and conventions everywhere are looking for all sorts of ways through which people can prevent the destruction of the wild environment.

Elephants, pangolins, rhinoceros, sharks and tigers are the most affected by illegal trade. According to the UN, the main reason for the extinction of wild animals is the reduction of habitat, which accounts for 80% of the loss of biological diversity.

At the current rate of extinction, about 20% of the world's species could become extinct forever within the next 30 years.

How is the holiday going?

On this day, many people enjoy the biodiversity of the planet by visiting animals in zoos or on safaris, going to nature museums, botanical gardens or National parks to see a wide variety of flora and fauna with your own eyes.
Volunteers clear debris from places along the beach, park or road sections. This garbage pollutes the aquatic and terrestrial environment. In addition to everything, these wastes can poison the organisms of animals or become traps for them.
Documentary films are shown to inform the public about the problems of the environment.
Majority international forums ends with donations to protect the biodiversity of the planet.

Do businesses close on this day?

International Wildlife Day is a global event, but there is no additional day off in countries.

The announced day reminds the population of the planet of the negative economic and social catastrophes provoked by the rash extermination of wildlife.

March 3 - World Wildlife Day. Celebrated since 2014 Proclaimed at the 68th session General Assembly United Nations (UN) 20 December 2013 (Resolution 68/205, adopted without a vote).

The UN supported the resolution establishing the day, which was adopted on March 3-14, 2013 in Bangkok at the 16th session of the CITES Conference of the Parties (eng. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora fauna and flora under threat of destruction). The draft resolution was submitted to the UN General Assembly by the Kingdom of Thailand.

Date of celebration world day wildlife is timed to coincide with the signing on March 3, 1973 in Washington by representatives of 80 countries of the CITES Convention (entered into force on July 1, 1975). This international agreement protects about 5 thousand species of animals and 28 thousand species of plants: import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of ​​these representatives of flora and fauna must be carried out on the basis of special permits and certificates. Since the beginning of the Convention, not a single species under its protection has disappeared.
At the beginning of 2014, 177 states are CITES participants (the USSR joined in 1976; Russia, as the successor state of the USSR, in 1992).

World Wildlife Day aims to recall the diversity and beauty of wild flora and fauna, as well as the importance careful attitude to them and the need to strengthen the fight against poaching. In 2014, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered a message dedicated to the first celebration of World Wildlife Day. In it, he called on society to "put an end to the illegal trade in wildlife and commit to trade and enjoy wild plants and animals in a rational and equitable manner."

Since 1963 international union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains an international list of endangered species of animals and plants (Red Book). It distinguishes the following levels of threats: Extinct (disappeared) (EX), Extinct in the Wild (disappeared in the wild) (EW), Critically Endangered (in critical danger) (CR), Endangered (in danger) (EN), Vulnerable (Vulnerable) (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD), Not Evaluated (NE).

Human activity is associated with the use natural resources. It causes irreparable damage to the environment and numerous animal species. Animals are deliberately exterminated or forced out of their places of existence. Their biological functions are not fulfilled. These processes damage the environment and have irreversible consequences for the planet. To draw the attention of governments, the public, manufacturers to this problem, a international holiday.

When does it pass

World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually on March 3rd. In 2020, the date is celebrated in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries of the world.

Who notes

Specialists in the field of environmental safety, environmental structures, defenders of environment, scientists, researchers, activists charities, employees of public funds. They are joined by students, teachers of specialized specialties of universities, employees of government agencies.

History and traditions of the holiday

The holiday originated on December 20, 2013. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in resolution No. A/RES/68/205. The document called on governments to honor and take measures to protect the environment, to inform the public.

The chosen date has a symbolic meaning. It is timed to coincide with the adoption on March 3, 1973 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The document contains definitions of basic concepts: species, specimen, introduction from the sea, and others. The agreement regulates the rules of trade, taking into account the protection of the environment.

The holiday was preceded by the CITES Conference of the Parties. The event was held in Thailand in the spring of 2013. Its sponsor was the Kingdom of the country.

On this international holiday, the message of the UN Secretary General is heard. Thematic seminars and conferences are being prepared. Protectors of wildlife act. Reports on environmental issues are read. Hearings are being held to reduce animal populations. Legislators put forward proposals for improvement international law. People who have made a significant contribution to protecting the environment are honored. IN educational institutions talk about conservation measures. Activists inform the public about the industry's pressing issues through flash mobs. On air funds mass media broadcasting documentaries, art films about wildlife.

The resolution that fixed the holiday establishes the mechanism for its financing.

Exists World Foundation wildlife (WWF). It originated in 1961. The organization fights for the rich biological diversity and conservation of the Earth's ecosystems. Over 20 years, she has implemented over 300 projects worth more than 70 million euros.

The Far Eastern tiger is one of the smallest subspecies. It is listed in the Red Book. In China, his murder is punishable by death. The animal is depicted on the heraldic symbols of the country.

Experts identify more than 200 regions in the world - the most significant for the conservation of wildlife diversity.

The decision to celebrate this day was made at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2013.

The date was not chosen by chance: on this day in 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted.

World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to highlight the diversity and beauty of wildlife and helps to raise awareness of the human benefits of conservation activities. In addition, this Day reminds us of the need to strengthen the fight against wildlife crime, which has far-reaching economic, environmental and social consequences.

Approximately 5,600 animal species and 30,000 plant species are protected by CITES. They are listed in three CITES Appendices and grouped according to their degree of threat of extinction.

In the Applications are included as whole groups of animals, such as primates, cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), sea ​​turtles, parrots, corals, cacti and orchids and others, and subspecies or geographically isolated populations.

Among the most vulnerable animal species of the Russian fauna are in the first place: the Amur tiger, leopard, Snow Leopard, polar bear And large species falconiformes (golden eagle, gyrfalcon, saker falcon, peregrine falcon) used as birds of prey, as well as some valuable fish species.

In the context of insufficient measures to combat poaching, it annually causes damage to the state in the amount of more than 19 billion rubles.

The total damage from illegal tiger hunting is up to 25 million rubles. Thus, according to various estimates, from 30 to 50 tigers are illegally harvested per year. Illegal hunting of such species of birds as gyrfalcon, saker falcon, peregrine falcon is from 1,000 to 1,200 individuals per year.

The estimated damage from illegal bird hunting is about 240 million rubles.

According to the head of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation Sergey Donskoy, about 50 thousand violations in the field of illegal trade in rare and endangered species of animals are detected annually, which is a tenth of their total number.

In Russia in 2013, significant amendments to the legislation were adopted, which toughened the punishment for the production and trafficking of animals listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and the CITES Appendix. Criminal liability has been introduced not only for illegal hunting, but also, for the first time, for the illegal circulation of especially valuable wild animals, including Amur tiger, Far Eastern leopard and others rare species including their storage, transportation and sale. In addition, toughened administrative responsibility for the destruction of rare and endangered species of animals and plants.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

World Wildlife Day provides an opportunity to highlight the diversity and beauty of wildlife and helps to raise awareness of the human benefits of conservation activities. In addition, this Day reminds us of the need to strengthen the fight against wildlife crime, which has far-reaching economic, environmental and social consequences.

The unconditional value of wildlife correlates with ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects sustainable development and the welfare of the people. For these reasons, we encourage all Member States, the United Nations system and others international organizations, as well as civil society, non-governmental organizations and individuals to participate in this global celebration of Wildlife Day. Here I would like to note the role of local communities that could help in the fight against illegal trade in species of wild fauna and flora.

In 2017, the Day is held under the slogan "Listen to the voices of the young".
World Wildlife Day is new opportunity for young people to declare the need for urgent action to protect nature and show their solidarity in this matter.
The vocation of World Wildlife Day is to remind humanity of how important it is to take care of nature and fight against any manifestations of poaching.
Habitat loss, climate change, poaching and the illegal trade in wild species are major threats to wildlife. The fate of wildlife is in the hands of future generations. Urgent measures to protect nature must include the transfer of experience between generations in order to preserve habitats. In addition, young people should be able to promote their environmental projects to the masses.

The World Wildlife Fund states the depressing and frightening facts:
— Every hour, 3 species of animals and 70 species of flora and fauna disappear on the planet;
- About a quarter of all species of flora and fauna will disappear in the near future;
- People consume about 70% of the world's fish stock, which exceeds the possibility of its normal recovery;
- 35% of marine animal species have already disappeared from the face of the Earth;
— More than 1.5 hectares of virgin forests are cut down every second. More than 65% of such forests have already been destroyed.
- Every year, 17 million hectares of forest disappear on the planet;
- 34 thousand species of plants and animals are included in the list of CITES - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;
- Over the past 25 years, the biological diversity of our planet has decreased by more than a third.

On Wildlife Day, I call on everyone:
Let's protect forests and fields,
Protect plants, protect water bodies,
And we can't exterminate rare animals,
It's time to save our home planet,
So that our descendants get it,
Let's all take this together
Nature will reward us all in full!

Let's appreciate nature
After all, who, if not us, will keep it?
Let the world is not quite fair,
But every animal deserves to live well!
Happy Wildlife Day, I congratulate everyone,
I wish all animals a comfortable life!
I ask all forests, reservoirs to keep,
To not destroy our nature at all!

Sources:
1. Aspembitova. N. Class hour"World Wildlife Day"